Laikipia Wildlife Forum

Yesterday, LWF joined the global community in celebrating the International Day of Biosphere Reserves at Mt. Kenya National Park and Reserve, Narumoru Gate. The event gathered diverse stakeholders dedicated to conserving the Mt. Kenya-Lewa Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Key attendees included UNESCO Director Louise Haxthausen, representatives from the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, and Mount Kenya Trust. LWF supported the event by supplying indigenous tree seedlings after overseeing site preparation. This celebration marked the first in-person commemoration of Biosphere Reserves, as highlighted by Dr. James Njogu, Acting Secretary General of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM). The day began with a tree-planting activity and presentations from various schools, where students creatively emphasized the significance of the World Heritage Site through poems, dances, and songs. Dr. Njogu underscored the intricate balance between conservation and biosphere management. Mr. Boniface Wanyama, Chair of Kenya’s Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), advocated for inclusive conservation, particularly youth engagement. He pointed to MAB’s focus on sustainability through youth involvement in research and documentation. Dr. John Chumo, Conservation Secretary of the State Department for Wildlife, highlighted the link between ecological restoration and community needs. He emphasized Mt. Kenya National Park's crucial role in supporting wildlife populations, including the critically endangered Mountain Bongo. Dr. Chumo also encouraged stakeholders to support community-led initiatives for sustainable natural resource management and underscored the need to coexist with wildlife. The event concluded with an awards ceremony for young participants in UNESCO's photography competition, recognizing their efforts in promoting conservation awareness. #InternationalDayofBiosphereReserves #Conservation #MtKenyaBiosphere #LWF #UNESCO #CommunityConservation #SustainableFuture #YouthInConservation #WildlifeConservation #MountainBongo

Mt. Kenya-Lewa Biosphere Reserve is one of six biosphere reserves in Kenya. This biosphere holds global significance due to its cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation. In anticipation of the International Day of Biospheres on November 4th, the LWF team visited Mt. Kenya National Park and Reserve via the Narumoru Gate. After a warm welcome from Assistant Director Mr. Erick Aduda, the team toured the tree-growing site, where the inaugural celebrations will be held. LWF remains steadfast in its commitment to preserving our forests through initiatives such as tree planting, working closely with Community Forest Associations (CFAs), Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, and other stakeholders. #MtKenya #LewaBiosphere #BiodiversityConservation #CulturalHeritage #TreePlanting #InternationalDayOfBiospheres #LWF

LWF participated in this year's 14th Carnivore Conference at Nairobi Safari Walk. Officially opened by Kenya Wildlife Service Director, Dr. Kanga, the conference brought together park managers, researchers, scientists, scholars, and other conservation stakeholders. The theme, Carnivore Conservation in a Changing Landscape, focused on developing practical solutions to ensure a thriving population of carnivores, as emphasized by the Director General. The conference featured various presentations by carnivore specialists showcasing community-level interventions. These included case studies on trends such as Human-Hyena Conflicts in Juja, driven by a declining prey base and growing human population. Additionally, the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) reinforced the essential role of research in carnivore conservation and management. A standout presentation was by Ewaso Lions, which highlighted the Mama Simba program—a lion conservation initiative led by Samburu women. This demonstrated the critical role communities play in embracing conservation efforts. To support such initiatives, technological tools like Earth Ranger were also introduced as key resources. Stakeholders were encouraged to focus on small carnivores, which have historically been overlooked, with discussions touching on recent discoveries of species like the African Golden Cat. The conference exemplified Kenya Wildlife Service's commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to sustain viable carnivore populations. Photo Credits: Kenya Wildlife Service #CarnivoreConservation #KenyaWildlifeService #WildlifeResearch #CommunityConservation #CarnivoreConference2024 #ChangingLandscapes #SustainableConservation #EwasoLions #AfricanGoldenCat #EarthRanger #SmallCarnivores #KenyaConservation

We are happy to share more moments from the Eco Warrior Awards, where we were recognized as the Leading Non-Profit Organization in Championing Climate Action. Thank you to our fantastic team, partners, and supporters for making this achievement possible. We continue to pave the way for a sustainable future in the greater Laikipia landscape. #LWF #EcoWarriorAwards #Sustainability #ClimateAction #SustainableFuture #CommunityImpact Ecotourism Kenya

I was honoured to be the 2024 Eco Warriors Awards Chief Judge. With over 100 applicants across 10 categories and 17 subcategories, the submissions reflected not just ambition, but a genuine commitment to creating a positive impact through sustainable tourism. ✔️What stood out this year for the judges, was the depth of understanding demonstrated in every winning submission, the innovative solutions, and most importantly, the purposeful collaborations that align with the very essence of sustainability. ✔️From eco-conscious initiatives to strategic partnerships that uplift communities, the winners have proven that sustainable tourism is not just a goal but a shared responsibility. 👏🏽I encourage the hospitality and tourism industry to keep pushing the boundaries, keep building meaningful partnerships, and most of all, keep the SDGs alive in practice every single day. Thank you Ecotourism Kenya for this opportunity to impact my industry. Serena Hotels Sopa Lodges Safarilink Aviation Governors Camp Collection748 AIR SERVICES - K ltd Jambojet Kenya Airways Diani TurtleWatch Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO) Big Ship Organization DiscoverBrands Systems Ltd Laikipia Wildlife Forum Boma International Hospitality College Let'sGOtravel

Proud moment for Laikipia Wildlife Forum 🎉 We are thrilled to have been named the Leading Non-Profit Organization in Championing Climate Action at the 17th Edition of the Eco Warrior Awards. This recognition celebrates our unwavering commitment to advancing climate resilience and sustainable tourism in the greater Laikipia landscape. A huge thank you to our team, partners, supporters and to Ecotourism Kenya for the recognition. More updates from the event to come. #LWF #EcoWarriorAwards #Sustainability #ClimateAction #LaikipiaWildlifeForum #SDGs #SustainableTourism"

We are pleased to present the third edition of Forum Focus 2024, which captures the milestones of the Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) throughout the third quarter of 2024. Learn about our latest milestones by clicking on this link --> https://shorturl.at/LLXyH We offer our sincerest gratitude to all our members, partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support and invaluable contributions. World Resources Institute People Powered Daraja Academy One Tree Planted FAO Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT #LWF #ForumFocus #Wildlife #Laikipia #CommunityEngagement #Partnerships #Biodiversity #RestorationEfforts #Conservation

In celebration of Mazingira Day, LWF initiated restoration efforts in degraded areas, focusing on Shamanek Forest, a gazetted forest in Nyahururu. Joining us were the area chief, the Shamanek forester, the Community Forest Association, scouts, and community members. Kenya's forest cover currently stands at 8.83%, still below the globally recommended 10%. Our efforts aim to improve this by collaborating with stakeholders to mainstream restoration initiatives. Yesterday’s activity included a practical session on tree planting and care, with the goal of increasing the survival rate of the trees planted, in line with the Presidential Directive to grow 15 billion trees by 2032. To meet this directive, Laikipia County needs to plant 372,000,000 trees. Shamanek Forest plays a critical role in providing ecosystem services to both the community and wildlife. In the past, the forest has been ravaged by wildfires, destroying key wildlife habitats. Our tree-planting site is a vital habitat for elephants, historically serving as a “maternity area” for these ecosystem giants. The restoration effort seeks to revive the elephant habitat by replanting suitable tree species. Among the species planted were Prunus africana, Vitex keniensis, and Olea africana, important trees for wildlife due to their medicinal value. With support from Terra Fund for AFR100, LWF is committed to planting indigenous tree seedlings in the forest. The community's strong turnout highlights their unwavering dedication to restoring the forest. World Resources Institute One Tree Planted #LWF #MazingiraDay #ForestRestoration #TreePlanting #ShamanekForest #KenyaForestCover #WildlifeConservation #IndigenousTrees #EcosystemRestoration #ElephantHabitat

We are grateful to have been part of this year’s Walk Wild event, organized by LWF members and partners, the Ilmamusi Community Forest Association (CFA), in the stunning Mukogodo Forest. We look forward to the fourth edition and to sharing updates on future collaborations and initiatives as we continue to champion the protection of our natural heritage together. Photo Credits: Daisy Beverly Owiro, John Kiongo, Benedict Erick Omondi #LWF #WalkWild2024 #MukogodoForest #ConservationPartners #Community

Habitats play a vital role in providing essential resources such as food, water, shelter, and space to wildlife. Maintaining healthy habitats is key to safeguarding animal welfare and promoting coexistence. Aligned with the 2024 World Animal Day theme, ‘The World is Their Home Too,’ Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) underscores the significance of sustainable ecosystems that support thriving wildlife populations. The Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem, home to a wide range of species—from tiny insects to majestic elephants—illustrates the delicate balance of nature. In the face of habitat degradation, LWF remains committed to supporting and coordinating initiatives aimed at preserving sustainable habitats, ensuring a future where both wildlife and humans can coexist harmoniously. #LaikipiaWildlifeForum #WorldAnimalDay #WildlifeConservation #ProtectOurPlanet #LaikipiaSamburuEcosystem #Coexistence #Biodiversity #HabitatPreservation #SaveWildlife